Selecting Fire Turtles with Color Genes: In order to make the fire turtle’s color turn red, the first thing to do is to ensure that they have the genetic genes for color development.
Providing a Comfortable Environment: To help the fire turtle’s color turn red, it’s also necessary to provide them with a comfortable environment, so they can develop better. The water temperature should be kept around 25°C, and the water quality should be clean and fresh.
Sunbathing: To make the fire turtle’s color redder, you can also let them bask in the sun more often.
1. How to Raise a Red-Faced Fire Turtle
1.1 Select Fire Turtles with Color Genes: Whether a fire turtle can develop color is largely determined by genetics. If you want the fire turtle’s color to turn red, you should select turtles that have the genetic genes for color development.
1.2 Provide a Comfortable Environment: Even if the fire turtle has color genes, it still relies on proper care to make its color become more vibrant. Owners need to ensure that the environment is comfortable. The water temperature should be kept around 25°C, and the water should be clean and fresh. It is best to change half of the water twice a week.
1.3 Let Them Sunbathe: It’s important to let the fire turtle bask in the sun regularly. This helps them synthesize pigments better, which in turn makes their colors more vivid. If possible, you can set up a basking platform inside the enclosure to allow them to climb up and sunbathe.
2. What to Feed Fire Turtles to Make Them Red
To make the fire turtle turn red, you should feed them more foods rich in astaxanthin, such as crayfish, river shrimp, small shrimp, and so on. In addition, you should also feed them more animal-based foods, like small fish, loaches, tadpoles, snails, etc. Then, mix in some plant-based foods, like cucumber, carrot, cabbage, apple, banana, and others. This will not only help promote their color development but also ensure balanced nutrition.
